Automatic jig-loading apparatus



May 7, 195 D. L. CAFARELLA ETAL AUTOMATIC JIG-LOADING APPARATUS Filed June 7; 1954 A 5 L 5 WE H T 6+ N N R W5 0 m we J E m 2 @W w g w aw ||\N\ rwm\\, wk S hhw mow. QM W 5 @N k ulia AUTOMATIC JIG-LOADIN G APPARATUS Domenic Louis Cafarella, Union City, N. 1., and Charles R. Cafarella, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to Crown Wire Manufacturing Corporation, New York, N. Y.

Application June 7, 1954, Serial N 0. 435,029

16 Claims. (Cl. 53-236) This invention relates to automatic equipment for loading various articles or component parts onto jigs, for subsequent incorporation into products of manufacture.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic apparatus for quickly and easily feeding articles or components individually from a source of supply, and depositing the said articles in predetermined locations on a ig.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus as above set forth, which is simple in construction, and inexpensive to produce and manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic jig-loading apparatus in accordance with the above, which is strong and sturdy, and reliable in operation at all times.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic jig-loading apparatus of the above type, which is readily adjustable to accommodate parts or components of different sizes and shapes, and wherein all working parts are readily accessible for adjustment, servicing and/ or repair.

A feature of the invention resides in an arrangement and organization of the operating mechanism of the jigloading apparatus, whereby the article or componenthandling members are exposed and accessible for manipulation and adjustment to free any jams which might occur in the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic apparatus as above characterized, which has a cyclic operation the cycles of which include predetermined periods of dwell to permit easy transfer or exchange of jigs.

Another feature of the invention resides in an organization and arrangement of the various parts whereby loaded jigs may be easily and quickly removed from the apparatus and replaced by other jigs which are to be loaded.

A' still further object of the invention is to provide an improved, automatic jig-loading apparatus, wherein the articles or components may be easily and quickly replenished in the supply hopper, and easily rearranged therein where specific arrangement of the articles is imperative in the operation of the apparatus.

Yet another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved automatic jig-loading apparatus as above set forth, which may be easily fabricated from materials and components which are readily available on the market.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the improved automatic jig-loading apparatus of the invention, the drawing being simplified and slightly rearranged to show more clearly the various details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a jig of the type intended-for use with the apparatus of Fig. 1. As shown, the improved apparatus of this invention nitd States Patent() comprises a structural iron frame 10 having upright legs 11, horizontal leg braces 12, horizontal side frame members 13 and horizontal end members 14, the frame members 13 and 14 being joined at their ends to constitute a rectangular top.

In accordance with this invention, means are provided on the frame 10 for supporting a jig and reversibly moving the same in a predetermined path between two different locations. This jig-supporting and moving means comprises a table member 15, which may be of rectangular shape, slidable along a pair of inverted V-tracks 16 which are secured at their ends to the end frame members 14. The table 15 may have on its underside pairs of rollers (not shown) disposed with their axes at angles to each other, for engagement with the tracks 16 to pro vide for reduced friction in the movement of the table since these rollers are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention the details of their construction are not described herein.

The table 15 is arranged to travel horizontally over the frame 10 between two locations closely adjacent the respective ends 14 of the frame, the table being shown in Fig. l in its right-most position, half through its cycle of movement, and being movable from said position to the left to a corresponding position adjacent the left end of the frame 10.

Movement of the table 15 is eifected through a rack 17 secured to the underside of the table and meshing with gear 18 carried on a shaft 19 mounted in bearings 21 on the side frame members 13. The shaft 19 carries a sprocket wheel 21 driven'by a sprocket chain 22, the latter also passing over a driving sprocket wheel 23 on a shaft 24 of reversible; gearhead motor 25 mounted on the lower portion of the frame 10. It will be understood that rotation of the motor 25 in one direction will slowly move the table 15 from left to right across the top of the frame 10, and opposite rotation of the motor 25 will slowly move the table 15 in the opposite direction on the frame 10, from right to left.

In accordance with the present invention a novel and improved automatic hopper and magazine are provided, mounted on the frame It) and disposed above the path of travel of the table 15. As shown, the frame 10 has uprights 26 and 27 to which cross members 28 and 29 are secured respectively, said cross members supporting an enclosure comprising an inclined bottom plate or wall 30, a pair of relatively short upright side walls 31, and a relatively long end wall 32 joined to the side walls 31.

For the purpose of varying the space within the walls 31 and 32 a second pair of side walls 33 is provided, disposed between the side walls 31, the walls 33 being carried by rods or bars 34. Preferably, bushings 35 are provided on the movable walls 33, receiving the rods 34, said bushings having set screws by which they may be secured to the rods in various adjusted positions. The enclosure constituted by the bottom wall 30, the relatively long end Wall 32 and the adjustable side walls 33 comprises a hopper designated generally by the numeral 36, which is intended to hold a plurality of wires or thin rods which constitute the articles which are to be handled by the present apparatus and loaded on the jigs. The said wire articles are placed in the hopper 36 so as to extend parallel with the end wall 32, the wires resting on the bottom wall or plate 30 of the hopper with the ends of the wires closely adjacent and positioned by the adjustable side walls 33. By varying the spacing between the adjustable walls 33 wire articles of diiferentlengths may be readily accommodated in the hopper 36.

In accordance with this invention means are provided for continuously minutely shifting or agitating the wire articles which are being carried in the hopper 36. This.

means comprises a pair'of rollers 37 fixed to a shaft 33 st ength 3 mounted in bearings 39 secured to the side walls 31 of the hopper or enclosure. The shaft 38 mounts. a sprocket Wheel 40 driven by a sprocket chain 41 which is in turn ,driyenby a second spocket wheel 4 2.of a gearheadmotor 43 fastened to theupper portion ofthe framell).

The rollers 37, being opposite the end.wall 32 of the hopper, constitute thefourth wall of the latter v and, as seen in Fig. l, the direction of rotation ofthe rollers .37 isclockwise. Thus the rollers are continuously engaging certain of the .wire articles which are carried in the hopper 36. Since the bottom wall 30 of the hopper slopes downward toward the rollers, the action of gravity will tend :to maintain such engagement between the wire articles and rthe rollers regardless of whether there are .many or onlyafew articles in the hopper. The rollers 37 ,a'respaced abovethe bottom wall 39 of thehopper only ,sufiiciently ,to, provide clearance for oneof the wire articles, and accordin'glythe said=articles may feed downward by ,gravity alongfthe sloping bottom wall 30 past the rollers 37 oneat a time. The spacingbetween the rollers 37and the bottom plate 3 0is adjustable by virture of the bearings 39 being carried by pivotsA4 and having their positions controlled by adjusting screws 45 threaded into lugs 46 se cured to theside walls 31.

According to this invention, below the hopper 36 and above the path of travel of the table a magazine is provided, generally designated by the numeral 47. This magazine comprises a downward extension 30a of the sloping bottom wall 30 of the hopper 36. Extending along the extension 30a and spaced slightly above the same are guide arms 48 pivotally carried on links 49 attached to a bar 50 the ends of whichare secured to triangular sidewalls 51 extending upward from the sloping bottom plate or extension 30al The spacing between the guide arms 48 and the sloping extension 30a is adjustable by meansof turn buckles 52, and preferably the spacing is such that the wire articles from the hopper 36 may pass downward between the arms and the extension 30a without restraint and .with a slight amount .of clearance. I

By this organization, andtbecause of the continuous agitation of the wire articles in the hopper 36 by the rollers 37, the articles will continuously feed downward past the rollers 37 from left to right as viewed in Fig. l, passing down the bottom wall extension 30a under the force of gravity between said extension and the guide arms.48. The arms 48 will prevent thewire articles from bunching ,up but instead .will keep them in parallelism and align ment.

For the purpose of controlling the discharge of the wire articles from the magazine 47, release arms 53 are provided, having downwardly bent end portions 54, said arms being carried on ashaft 55 turnable in bearings ,56 on the triangular side plates 51. The shaft 55 at one end carries a trip lever 57 by which the release arms 53 may be actuated. It will be understood that the down-turned extremities 54 of the arms 53 normally engage or come very close to the bottom plate 300 of the magazine, thereby holding captive the wire articles which are contained in the magazine. Whenever the arms 53 are lifted, as by counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 55, the wire articles will be released from the magazine. Normally the release arms 53 are maintained in engagement with thebottom plate 30a by an extension spring 58 secured to one of;.the triangularside plates 51 of the magazine.

Me r i d, y h P eh a ih eht qn fo r lfhs ing release of the wire articles one at a time from the magazine 47. This means comprises an escapement arm 59 having a down-turned end portion 60, said arm being oos y carded on the s ft 8 d betas norma ly yi l ably urged upward by an extension spring 61 secured to one .of' t e c o s. a 4 A sa h of fthrs qapcat arm 59 is etlect'edbya 162 carried on the shaft 55, the cam being so arranged thatiwhenever the release arms 53 are raised to release the wire articles the .escapemcnt arm 59 is depressed to hold all but the last one of the wire articles against shifting downward in the magazine 47. Whenever the release arms 53 are in lowered positions, the escapement arm 59 will be raised, thereby enabling the wire articles in the magazine to be retained solely by the said release arms. Thus each time that the lever 57 is actuated counterclockwise and thereafter released, the arms 53 and 59 will be actuated to discharge one wire.

The invention provides for automatic actuation of the release arms 53 and escapement arm 59 in response to movement of the {table 15 from left to right as viewed in Fig. 1. To effect this, we provide a number of trip members 63 on thetable lisaid members being adjustable along an angle iron 64 mounted on the side edge of the table and being positioned to engage the trip lever 57 during movement of the table. The trip lever 57 preferably has a unidirectional knuckle 65 on its lower extremity which permits the trip member 63 to bypass the lever when the table 15 is ,moving from rightl l ft, without actua ingthe said lever. However, whenever the table 15 moved from left to right the trip members 63 will actuate the trip lever ,57 twice incounterclockwise directions, raising the release levers 53 and depressing the escapement lever 59 twice in sequence.

,plates having notches 71, the said notches being provided with sloping walls whereby wire articles deposited on the jig will be automatically centered at the bottoms of the notches if the end portions of the wire articles initially fall anywhere within the V-notches.

The jig 66 is adapted to be placed on the table 15 in a predetermined position whereby wire articles from the magazine 47 will be automatically deposited in the V- ,notches of the jig. To position the jig on the table, we

provide an adjustable fence or guide 72 on the table 15, slidably carried by a cross member 73 in the form-of an angle iron which is fixedly secured to the table. It is intended that the jig 66 be loaded onto the table 15 when the latter is in its left-most position on the frame 10, that is, shifted to the left from the position shown in Fig. 1. This left-most position is below the hopper 36 and magazine 47 and the said hopper and magazine are spaced above thetop ofthe frame 10 a suflicient distance to enable the jig 66 to be readily placed in position on the table 15 when the latter is at its initial or starting position a the le t an of he f a We also provide automatic controls for the reversible m or whereby a p a y i of t apparat s takes place, the table 15 initially starting at the left end of the, frame 19, slowly moving along the top of the frame from left to right and then reversing its direction after it has reached the right-most position shown in Fig. l. The table '15 after being reversed, travels from right to left until it reaches the left end of the frame 10. It is then stopped and a period of dwell introduced into the y lin o t maqh hs to en le the its to he r m from the table and another jig put in its place. The movement of the table is then repeated.

The automatic actuation :of the table 15 is effected by limit switches one of which is indicated by the numeral 74 in Fig. 1, bya timer 75 and relays 76 and by a motor switch 77 connected with the reversible motor 25. A second motor switch 7 is pro ided f r t e motor 43,. an starttch w t h s pr v de t start and sh off the apparatus! The P shqu t cen ral in o v n e lim sw tches. timer. r lays and ers ng mc q sw ch is n described herein in detail since, per se, it is well understood to those skilled in the art.

Operation of the improved jigloading apparatus of this invention is as follows: Normally the table 15 is at rest, at the left end of the frame 10. The hopper 36 is loaded with wire articles, said articles being arranged side-by-side in parallel relation and resting against the rollers 37. A jig 66 is put in place on the table 15, being positioned by the adjustable guide 72 and the fixed guide 73. The starting switch 79 is now closed and the motor switch 78 closed to energize the motor 43. This will cause a continuous agitation or minute shifting of the wire articles in the hopper 36, and a number of these articles will pass downward along the bottom plate 38 underneath the rollers 37, until the magazine 47 is completely filled with said articles. At this point the operator may start the reversible motor 25. Because of the control of said motor, as effected by the limit switches actuated by the table 15, the table and the jig 66 carried thereby will be slowly moved from left to right across the top of the frame 10. The trip members 63 will one after the other move the trip lever 57 counterclockwire, and for each such movement the release arms 53 and escapement arm 54 will enable one wire to be discharged from the bottom edge of the bottom plate 30a of the magazine. During such discharge of the wire, the jig 66 will be travelling from left to right past the magazine 47, and the articles will therefore be deposited in the V-notches of the jig, automatically centering themselves at the bottoms of the notches. When the table 15 reaches the right-most position as shown in Fig. l, the jig 66 will have been loaded with the desired number of wire articles, in the present instance two. The table 15 will actuate the limit switch 7 4, and this will effect a reversal of the motor 25, whereupon the table 15 and jig 66 carried thereby will be returned to the starting position. During such return no actuation of the trip lever 57 will occur, nor will any of the wire articles be discharged from the magazine 47. Upon the table 15 and jig 66 reaching their starting positions, the timer 75 will become effective to cause a period of dwell, during which the loaded jig 66 may be removed from the table 15 and another unloaded jig replaced on the table. The timer will thereafter start the motor 25 in its forward direction, and the operation just described will be repeated.

By providing either more or less trip members 63 on the bar 64, either a greater or lesser number of wire articles may be discharged from the magazine 47 onto the jig 66.

The apparatus of this invention may be readily adjusted, by turning the adjusting screws 45, to accommodate wire articles of different diameters. Also, by adjustment of the movable sides 33, the hopper 36 may be adjusted to handle different lengths of wire articles. The rollers 39, guide arms 48 and release arms 53 may likewise be adjusted along their respective shafts or supporting bars, to accommodate different lengths of wire articles. Thus the machine is flexible in its use, since it is not restricted to one particular size or shape of wire form. The jig 66 may be readily positioned in different locations on the table 15 by adjusting the guide 72, and adjustment of the trip members 63 may be effected to control the discharge of the wire articles from the magazine 47.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of this invention may be made up from parts and components which are readily obtainable in the open market, with but few exceptions. The working parts of the apparatus are exposed and easily accessible for adjustment and manipulation whenever this is necessary. The hopper 36 may be easily loaded from the top, and the wire articles in the magazine 47 are accessible for manipulation if they should become jammed or stuck for any reason.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for loading articles on a jig, comprising a frame; means reversibly movable on the frame between two locations, for supporting the jig and moving the-same in a predetermined path between said locations; a motive means; means powered by said motive means, automatically causing said jig-supporting means to travel back and forth once on said frame to move the jig from one location to'the other, and return the jig to the first location again, a hopper adapted to store the articles to be loaded; a magazine disposed in a location above the path of travel of the jig-supporting means and jig; means for feeding said. articles from the hopper to said magazine, said articles being disposed in aligned positions in said magazine; and means automatically releasing said articles seriatim from said magazine and depositing them on the jig in response to travel of the jig-supporting means in one direction along said path.

2. Apparatus for loading articles on a jig, comprising a frame; means reversibly movable on the frame between two locations, for supporting the jig and moving the same in a predetermined path between said locations; a hopper adapted to store the articles to be loaded; a magazine disposed in a location above the path of travel of the jig-supporting means and jig; means for feeding said articles from the hopper to said magazine, said articles being disposed in aligned positions in said magazine; means automatically releasing said articles seriatim from said magazine and depositing them on the jig in response to travel of the jig-supporting means in one direction along said path; and automatic, power-operated drive means causing said jig-carrying means to repeatedly traverse .said path back and forth with an interval of dwell before starting each said traversal.

3. Apparatus for placing lengths of wire in predetermined related positions from a source of supply, com prising a jig having notched rails adapted to accommodate the wires in the notches thereof; a frame; means reversibly movable on the frame between two locations, a motive means; means powered by said motive-means, automatically causing said jig-supporting means to travel back and forth once on said frame to move the jig from one location to the other, and return the jig to the first location again for supporting the jig and moving the same in a predetermined path between said locations; a

hopper adapted to store the wires to be loaded; a magazine disposed in a location above the pathof travel of the jig-supporting means and jig; means for feeding said wires from the hopper to said magazine, said wires being disposed in aligned positions in said magazine; and means automatically releasing said wires seriatim from said magazine and depositing them on the jig in response" to travel of the jig-supporting means in one direction along said path.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there is an inclined, article-supporting bottom wall common to both the hopper and magazine and constituting functional components of both.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there is a sloping, article-supporting bottom wall common to both the hopper and magazine, in which the means for feeding the articles to the magazine includes a pair of rollers rotating above and in spaced relation to said bottom wall, the spacing between said rollers and the bottom wall being in the order of the thickness of the articles.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the means for supporting the jig comprises a flat table, and in which there is an adjustable guide on said table, for enabling jigs to be positioned in different locations thereon.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the articles comprise straight wires, and in which the hopper comprises an enclosure having a pair of movable, opposite sides adjustable closer to each other or further apart to accommodate different "lengths of wires. 1

#8. The invention as defined '-in claim 7 in which the means for feeding the wires from the 'hopper include rollers engaging the :wires and causing 'a continual=agitation thereof, said-rollers being adjustable totincrease or decrease the spacing between them :so ,as :to accommodate ditferent lengths of wires, in which'there is asloping, wire-supporting bottom wall. common to both the :hopper and the magazine, and in -which-the rollersiare spaced above said bottom wall approximately the thickness .of the wires.

9. The invention as definedinclaim 1 in which the articles comprise straight wires, and in which the means for feeding the articles from ="the hopper include rollers engaging the wires in the hopperjand providing for continual agitation'thereof, in :WhlChtllm'fi lS a sloping, wire supporting bottom wall common to both the hopper and the magazine, and in which the rollers are spaced above said bottom wall approximately .the thickness .of the wires.

10. Apparatus for loading articles on a jig, comprising a frame; means reversibly movable on the frame between two locations, for supporting the jig andmoving the same in a predetermined path between said locations; a hopper adapted to store the articles to be loaded; a magazine disposed in a locationabove the path of travel of the jig-supporting means and jig; means for feeding said articles from the hopper .to said magazine, said articles being disposed in aligned positions in said magazine; and means automatically releasing said articles seriatim from said magazine and depositing them on the jig in response to travel ofthe .jig-supportingmeans in .one direction along said path, said articles comprising straight wires, the means for releasing the articles including rollers engaging the wires inthe hopper and providingfor continual agitation thereof, andthe means for automatically releasing the wires from the magazine including hooked arms engageable with the wires, said arms being adjustably mounted to vary the spacing between them whereby different length of wires may beaccommodated by the arms.

11. Apparatus for loading articles on a jig, comprising a frame; means reversibly movable on the frame between two locations, for supporting .the jig and moving the same in a predetermined path between said locations; a hopper adapted to store the articles to be loaded; a magazine disposed in a location above the path of travel of the jig-supporting means and jig; means for feeding said articles from the hopper to said magazine, said articles being disposed in aligned positions in said magazinc; and means automatically releasing said articles u seriatinr from said 'magazineand depositing them -on the jig in response to travel of the jigsupporting-means in one direction along said-path, said :meanstor releasing the articles including tripmembers adjustably mounted on the jig-supporting means, and including a part movably mounted on the magazine and engageable at different times by said trip :members during travel of the jig sup porting means.

121 The invention as defined in claim 11 in which the means automatically releasing the articles seriatim includes a pair of pivoted article-retaining arms associated with said magazine and actuated by said part movably mounted on the magazine, and includesra hooked escapement arm associated with said magazine and a cam operating said escapement arm, said cam beingactuated by said part movably mounted on the magazine to cause alternate engagement of the articles by said article-retaining and escapernent arms.

13. The invention as defined in claim 11 in which the means automatically releasing the articles includes pivoted article-retaining arms associated with said magazine and actuated by said part movably mounted on the magazine.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13 in which the means automatically releasing the articles seriatim includes a hooked escapement arm associated with said magazine and actuated alternatively with said article retaining arms by said part movably mounted on the magazine.

15. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there is a sloping article-supporting bottom Wall common to both the hopper and magazine, in which the means for feeding the articles to the magazine includes a pair of rollers rotating above and in spaced relation to said bottom Wall, and in which the magazine includes guide arms disposed above and in spaced relation to said common wall closely adjacent the said rollers, the spacing between said rollers and the bottom wall being on'the order of the thickness of the articles.

16. The invention as defined in claim 15 in which the means releasing the articles from the magazine includes relatively movable members disposed above and in spaced relation to said common wall and engageable with said articles, said members being movable oppositely whereby they alternately hold the articles against movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,709,189 Radke Apr. 16, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS 467,876 Germany Nov. 3, 1928 

